While I think that some of the student emails described in the article
were obviously inappropriate, I thought that a couple of the examples
were at least potentially very appropriate student uses of contact with
the professor. For example, this was cited as an example of email going
too far: "I think it would be helpful if you would summarize what we've
covered at hte ned of class in case we missed something". Now, if I got
ten emails with suggestions like that after every class, it'd be a
problem, but the article at least seemed to suggest that one comment
was in itself an inappropriate use of email. I couldn't disagree more.
It's a useful suggestion.
Similarly, another professor noted that in the days before an
assignment was due 10 students emailed her their 25 page papers looking
for comments. I welcome early submissions, within reason, and I don't
think there was anything wrong with the students doing this. If they
complained when she couldn't give them extensive comments, that'd be a
different matter, but again, it doesn't say that happened, but rather
just that the students sent the papers. I think it's silly to complain
about this instead of complaining about the students who expect us to
drop everything and read papers submitted AFTER the due date. On top of
that, I definitely don't want to discourage students from learning to
do their work early, and from trying to turn in their best work.
As far as email versus voicemail, I'm with Ed and Nancy. My big gripe
about voicemail is that you have to sit there listening to it as a
student (/colleague/peer) slowly explains the situation, often
rambling, never getting to the point, then speaking too quickly and
unintelligibly when the crucial information finally comes. With email
it's all right there in front of my eyes, and I can get the important
information MUCH more quickly than by listening.
I find the telephone an annoyingly impersonal means of communication,
as it generally involves talking to something through a series of
recordings. Worse is when the caller wants to know a good time to reach
me. That question presumes that I will rearrange my schedule to take
the call, and it's usually something that could be handled in two
minutes in email anyway.
Worst is when a student leaves a phone message asking for an
appointment, and then it turns out to be about something that I could
have simply answered in under a minute by email.
Paul Smith
Alverno College
Milwaukee
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